5 Days Sarawak Explorer Tour

Experience the bustle of Sarawak’s historic capital as we explore Kuching, one of Borneo’s most interesting and pleasant cities. Upon arrival at Kuching Airport, we transfer to our hotel, and in the afternoon embark on a city tour. We start by exploring Kuching’s Chinatown, the Cat Statue, the colourful Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple, the Civic Centre Viewing Platform and the world famous Sarawak Museum.

Across the river we continue to either the unique Cat Museum, or Fort Margherita, passing the magnificent State Mosque, the Astana and the White Rajah’s former residence. We return via the Golden Domed City Mosque and proceed on foot through Old Kuching visiting the colourful Central Markets squeezing through narrow alleyways crammed with spice dealers and textile shops. Our journey back to our hotel passes the heritage buildings of the White Rajah era, the Pavilion, the Square Tower, the Court House, the Charles Brooke Monument and the Post Office.

Notes:

• Museum close during Major Public Holidays and No Entrance Fee for Museum included.
• Sarawak Museum-Ethnology Museum (Old Building), Sarawak Art Museum and Chinese History Museum are still closed due to maintenance works until further notice.
• Alternative visits to Sarawak Islamic Heritage Museum and MBKS Pictorial Gallery.
• The Natural History Museum is open daily as per operation hours.

Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Our journey to Batang Ai passes through scenic countryside consisting of quaint little towns, villages, paddy fields and pepper and oil palm plantations, interspersed with secondary and virgin jungle. Leaving in the morning, we break the journey up with short stopovers at Serian Town and the small town of Lachau. We continue to Batang Ai Hydro Lake taking us across the lake through the Engkari River, one of the many tributaries flowing into the lake.

The journey will take around 30 minutes before reaching Mengkak Longhouse which is nestled on a hill beside the river. We then observe a small cultural performance. Overnight is at the longhouse common room known as the ruai with basic amenities, but no air conditioning, or private rooms and we share the washroom/toilets with the Ibans.

Accommodation at the longhouse supplements the resident’s income and it is used for their children’s education. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Ukom Longhouse.

After breakfast we enjoy a blowpipe demonstration and try our hand at shooting one ourselves. Next we take a short walk around the vicinity of the longhouse and learn about the traditional uses of rainforest plants in Iban culture before transferring back to Kuching on the same route.

Upon arrival, we proceed to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre in time for the orangutan feeding. This is the best place in Sarawak to view semi-wild orangutans who have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. The rehabilitated animals roam freely in the rainforest and return at feeding times, and we may even see an orangutan mother with a young baby. The centre is a 30 minute drive from Kuching and another 20 minute by foot passing ethno-botanical gardens with their unique collection of rainforest plants. Semenggoh also has numbers of short jungle trails and optional forest walks which can be incorporated into the tour. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Discover the rich biodiversity at Bako National Park which is a botanical treasure with 25 different vegetation types and distinct rainforest ecosystems, giving it a remarkable diversity of animal and plant life. It is home to the bizarre proboscis monkey, silvered langurs, long-tailed macaque monkeys, wild boar, flying squirrels and monitor lizards, as well as hundreds of different bird species. Our journey to Bako National Park is by car and traditional longboat and takes around 90 minutes.

Upon arrival, we view the fascinating plant life including mangroves, strangling figs, carnivorous pitcher plants and symbiotic ant plants. Unique geological features mark the coastline, including the famous Sea Stack and we follow well-marked trails leading to rugged jungle-covered hilltops and secluded beaches. After the tour, we transfer back to Kuching. A packed lunch is included.

Overnight at hotel of your choice.

After breakfast at the hotel, we have free time to spend at our leisure until we transfer to the airport for our departure flight.